Girl, on the cover

Thank you to Kroger and CoverGirl for sponsoring this review. While CoverGirl provided me with a $30 gift card to purchase CoverGirl products at Kroger stores, the opinions I’ve expressed here are solely my own, represent my honest viewpoint, and not that of CoverGirl, Kroger, or Proctor & Gamble. I am making no claims about the products, just expressing my thoughtful opinion. Clever Girls Collective supports Blog With Integrity.

When I was in the sixth grade, I was finally, FINALLY given makeup in my stocking. Finally. Some pink blush, pink lipstick, and “clear” mascara.

My best friend had started her period the summer before and was given a lipstick as a consolation prize and I’d been begging for makeup ever since.

And finally, it was mine.

That’s when it began, really. My love of makeup.

So when I was given the opportunity to participate in this campaign to show you that makeup doesn’t have to be expensive to be good? I jumped.

Because makeup doesn’t have to be expensive to be good. And I’ve spent enough in my years since that Christmas to know.

For this campaign, with a $30 gift card, I was able to buy a powder, blush, eye shadow, mascara, and lipgloss at my local Kroger store.

I also purchased a new, different eyeliner and went over just by about $5. Had I stuck to a Kohl pencil I would’ve come in just under $30.

Y’all, that’s a FULL FACE of makeup for $30. You cannot do that at a department store counter. Yay Kroger and CoverGirl!

Here are the items I bought:

Simply Powder Foundation: It’s hot here in the summer, so I don’t like wearing tons of makeup, or two layers (liquid and powder). I like this because I can slather on some moisturizer with SPF, powder my face, and go. The powder settles into the moisturizer to form the only foundation I need. And then I only have one product to carry in my bag for touch-ups.

Cheekers Blush in Iced Cappuccino: This blush is light-weight, long-wearing, and has just a hint of bronze so I look a little sun-kissed. Perfect for summer.

Eye Enhancers 3-Kit Shadow in Shimmering Sands: I like neutral, earthy shades for my everyday eyeshadow. This one? My ideal shades in one package.

LiquilineBlast in Brown Blaze: This is the eyeliner I wanted to try. It’s supposed to have “all the intensity and staying power of a liquid with the ease and blendability of a waterproof pencil.” So far? This eyeliner is living up to its claim. (Remember, this item put me over the $30 because it’s one of their highest-dollar lines, but at $7? Still WAY cheaper than a similar item at the department store.)

Lashblast Length Mascara: I love a mascara with a teeny little bristles on the wand that really get in there and separates out the lashes. This mascara? Has a teeny little bristles on the wand and really gets in there and separates out the lashes. Good pick for me!

Shineblast Lipgloss: I like this lipgloss because it’s completely appropriate for every-day errand-running but also cool for going out at night. There’s just the right amount of shine for me in this gloss and it’s not sticky and doesn’t have a bad taste!

All of that for $35 ($30 from CoverGirl to shop at Kroger and $5 of my own cash) at my local Kroger store, tax included. I think that’s pretty awesome and has just recharged my makeup stash for summer!

Have a question about my purchases? Let me know in the comments, or tell me your favorite thing about makeup!